Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Back Surgery

This is a short blog to let everyone know that Mike came through his back surgery with flying colors!  He is two days post-surgery now and has been up and walking without any leg pain.  The herniated disc was removed and now he is pain free (except for the pain in his back from the surgery).

We are so thankful to everyone who has expressed their support during this difficult time.  Mike has undergone two surgeries in just a month's time.  He has lost weight but his spirits are up because he can walk (with the use of a walker).  He will need to rebuild the muscles in his left leg and will once again be able to walk with me along the Tomebamba River once we get back to Cuenca.

I especially want to thank my sister Peggy who flew from Los Angeles to Tucson to be with me during Mike's surgery.  Thank you sis for your everlasting love.

And I also want to thank our dear friends Ed and Nancy who have taken us nomads into their home in Tucson and have treated us just like family.  I hope that Nancy will be able to have back surgery too as she is in just as much pain as Mike was in (maybe even more).

Hasta Luego,
Patty

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Back in the USA

We have been back in the USA (Tucson, Arizona) for over a week now.  This is the first time we've been back since we moved to Cuenca last August.  Even though we've been gone for about nine months, it seems just like yesterday that we were living here.  I haven't driven in nine months but there was no problem driving around Tucson.  The roads are great and the drivers are polite and courteous - just like I remember them to be!

I've had fun shopping at beautiful supermarkets (Fry's), going to Walgreen's for prescriptions (we're still in their system), and ordering many things online to be shipped to my address in Tucson to bring back with me to Cuenca.  I allowed for this as I brought an empty suitcase with me to Tucson to fill up and bring home. 

The real reason we're here in Tucson is so Mike can have major back surgery at the Tucson Medical Center, which is scheduled for Monday, May 23rd.  He has been in constant pain since last December and his left leg is starting to go numb now because of a herniate disc in his lumbar spine.  The doctors assure us that his nerve will completely recover and he'll be back to normal again. 

This is one of the better times to be in Tucson (weather wise).  There is sunshine every morning when you wake up and the temperature is in the 80's during the day and the 50's at night.  I know that when we come back to Cuenca, we'll have to adjust to limited sun, cooler temperatures, and routine showers.  But that is why Cuenca is so pretty and green with beautiful flowing rivers and clean air.  Tucson is a desert and hasn't had any rain for six months.  When we first got here, I had a hard time adjusting to the dryness - I will be glad to get back to Cuenca's moderate climate (however, wish we had more sunshine).

Will send an update after Mike's surgery.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Health Issues

It's inevitable that if you live long enough, you will have health problems to contend with.  That is the reward for living a long and productive life!  Mike says that we take such good care of ourselves in our younger years so that we can live to a ripe old age.  However, the "ripe old age" more than often than not is fraught with medical procedures and continued health problems.  I told Mike that this is what "growing old together" is all about.  It looks like we're at that stage of life now.  I'm glad that I'm still in good health so I can take care of him.

Mike has had back issues for quite a long time.  He had major back surgery due to spinal stenosis in February of 2010.  The surgery was very successful, allowing Mike to walk without any pain.  But since last December, he's been having intermittent back pain.  Now it has become constant.  An MRI shows a herniated disc in L2/L3 which is causing terrible pain and weakness in his left leg.  The doctors here indicated that Mike should go back to his doctor in Tucson to do the surgery required for this new back condition.  I'm hoping that he'll be able to regain the strength in and use of his left leg.

On top of all of this, he had to have emergency surgery on Easter Sunday to remove his gallbladder.  The arthroscopic surgery was performed by Dr. Serrano at Monte Sinai Hospital, and he has recovered fully from that surgery.  But this has delayed us getting to Tucson to see his back doctor.

We are scheduled to fly back to Tucson on Tuesday, May 10th.  Mike will be seeing his spine doctor in Tucson on May 12th.  Hopefully surgery can be performed soon so Mike can be on the road to recovery.

We want to thank all of our friends here in Cuenca for their concern and kindness during this ordeal, and also to thank our friends in Tucson for helping us transition back to the States for several months.

Will try to provide updates on a regular basis.